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Kokkinakis back in Australia’s Davis Cup team as Kyrgios is snubbed

The Greek Herald
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Kokkinakis back in Australia’s Davis Cup team as Kyrgios is snubbed

Nick Kyrgios’ heroics in the doubles at the Australian Open was not enough to earn him selection for Australia’s Davis Cup clash with Hungary.

Team captain Lleyton Hewitt has instead opted for debutant Luke Saville, Thanasi Kokkinakis, world No.12 doubles specialist John Peers, Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur and world No 65 Alexei Popyrin for the March 4-5 tie in Sydney.

Hewitt is confident his team has enough firepower to match the Hungarians, who will be led by world No.39 Marton Fucsovics.

“Thanasi had a fantastic Australian summer,” Hewitt said about his Greek team member.

“He really cemented himself as a top-100 player again, winning his first title at home in Adelaide and beating quality players. And then to go on to win the Australian Open doubles, this is going to give him a lot of confidence heading into this tie.”

Kokkinakis’ selection comes more than six years after he last represented Australia in the team competition, and follows his Australian Open doubles title win with Kyrgios earlier this year.

Kokkinakis back in Australia’s Davis Cup team as Kyrgios is snubbed.

“I’m obviously stoked,” Kokkinakis, who also won the men’s title at the Adelaide International this year, said.

“It’s a pretty cool feeling putting on those colours and playing for Australia. That atmosphere is unmatched, it’s a great reward for the summer I’ve had, for me and my team, and all the hard work I’ve put in.”

Kokkinakis is expected to return to the top 100 next week for the first time in six years.

Tickets to the Davis Cup qualifier go on sale on Tuesday from noon via Ticketmaster.com.au/Davis Cup.

Peter Doukas calls for more multilingual information ahead of upcoming by-elections

The Greek Herald
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Peter Doukas calls for more multilingual information ahead of upcoming by-elections

Chair of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW, Peter Doukas OAM, has called for more multilingual information to be made available to voters ahead of four by-elections taking place in NSW this Saturday, February 4.

For the upcoming by-election in Strathfield, one of Sydney’s most multicultural seats, postal voting packs have been sent to all eligible voters and must be returned by Friday, February 25 at 6pm. People also have the option of voting in person on February 12.

Mr Doukas told ABC News that having a how-to-vote explainer in other languages would minimise the risk of informal voting in postal ballots.

“It goes to the heart of our democracy — it goes to the heart of people who are Australian citizens — being able to exercise their democratic rights without the need to involve other people who have stronger English than them,” Mr Doukas told the national broadcaster.

“I would have expected, given that it is not a general election, the seats with a high percentage of multicultural communities would have been prioritised for information in other languages.

“It is unfortunate we are back at square one for understanding diversity.”

NSW Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, has echoed Doukas’ claims.

This sentiment was echoed by NSW Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, who said it was concerning that postal votes being sent to households in Strathfield did not contain information in languages other than English.

A spokeswoman for the NSW Electoral Commission said all ballot papers in state elections must be written in English. She said information about translation services was, however, being provided on the Commission’s website.

Source: ABC News.

Chris Ikonomidis blasts Melbourne Victory to FFA Cup glory

Andriana Simos
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Chris Ikonomidis blasts Melbourne Victory to FFA Cup glory

Melbourne Victory have claimed FFA Cup glory this year in a dramatic 2-1 final over the Central Coast Mariners.

The triumph, Victory’s second FFA Cup title after 2015, came just eight months after their first wooden spoon.

Victory supporters were on tenterhooks the entire game, until a stunning free kick by former Socceroos defender, Jason Davidson, with 20 minutes remaining put the team on the road to success.

Next came substitute Chris Ikonomidis, who smashed home a second strike in stoppage time to put the Mariners two goals behind.

Ikonomidis’ first Victory goal came after a pass from Francesco Margiotta.

“I saw the ball float perfectly for me and I just thought I’d take my time and set my body properly on my left foot and just hit it as sweetly as I could,” Ikonomidis told Network 10.

The victory looked assured until the Mariner’s skipper, Oliver Bozanic, ensured a nervous finish to the match when he scored in the 97th minute.

Victory’s win has now earned them a shot at the AFC Champions League, with the competition winner receiving a play-off spot — an away game against Japanese side Vissel Kobe in March.

Source: ABC News.

Erdogan thanks Mitsotakis for well wishes after testing positive for COVID

The Greek Herald
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Erdogan thanks Mitsotakis for well wishes after testing positive for COVID

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has responded to a message from Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, wishing him a speedy recovery from COVID-19.

President Erdogan thanked Mitsotakis via a Tweet from his official account.

“Thank you for your good wishes, Mr Prime Minister. My wife and I extend my greetings to you, your family and the Greek people,” Erdogan tweeted.

The Turkish President confirmed on Saturday that he and his wife had tested positive for the coronavirus “with mild symptoms.”

“Thankfully, we’re experiencing slight symptoms that we have learned is the Omicron variant,” Erdogan tweeted.

“We are on duty. We will continue to work at home. We look forward to your prayers.”

At the time, the Greek Prime Minister sent out a message on Twitter, wishing him and his wife “a swift recovery from COVID-19.”

Source: Ekathimerini.

Greece to scrap negative COVID-19 test demand for travellers

The Greek Herald
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Greece to scrap negative COVID-19 test demand for travellers

Greece will allow tourists with a European vaccination certificate to enter the country without having to show a negative test for COVID-19 from February 7, Reuters reports.

The new rules were announced by Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Sunday.

Previously, air passengers, including children above the age of five, had to show a rapid antigen test taken 24 hours before arrival or a PCR test no more than 72 hours old to enter Greece.

READ MORE: Greek Health Minister, Vassilis Kikilias: There’s light at the end of the tunnel for Greek diaspora.

But Greece’s Tourism Minister, Vassilis Kikilias, said a valid digital European Union vaccination certificate will now suffice from February 7.

Greece’s Tourism Minister, Vassilis Kikilias.

This news comes as Greece prepares to welcome tourists in March, which is much earlier than in past years.

Greece is currently reporting an average of around 18,000 cases per day, with the volume of cases on a downward trend.

READ MORE: Vassilis Kikilias: Tourism is an area where Greece and Turkey can cooperate.

Masks must be worn in all indoor and outdoor public spaces, whilst travellers may be required to wear two masks or an N95/FFP2 mask on public transport and in supermarkets.

Source: Reuters.

Three missing climbers found dead on Greek mountain near Kalavryta

The Greek Herald
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Three missing climbers found dead on Greek mountain near Kalavryta

Greece’s Fire Service has confirmed that the bodies of three mountain climbers who had been missing since Saturday near the town of Kalavryta have been found.

This comes after a search and rescue operation was activated with a special rescue squad of 22 firefighters, two helicopters and drone operators.

The three Greek male climbers, aged between 50-55 and reportedly experienced, had set out to climb 2,355-metre Mt. Helmos in the Peloponnese on Saturday morning.

They had parked their car at the Kalavryta Ski Resort and left a cellphone contact number with the resort operators.

The operators told local media they sounded the alarm Saturday evening, when they noticed the car still in the parking lot. Attempts to call the contact number were unsuccessful.

Local media reported that the three may have been swept away by an avalanche.

Many Greek mountain climbers, skiers and hikers flock to Kalavryta town in the winter months to enjoy the pristine mountains.

Source: AP News.

Sophie Cotsis MP signs the NSW Taxi Industry Pledge and calls for fair compensation

The Greek Herald
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Sophie Cotsis MP signs the NSW Taxi Industry Pledge and calls for fair compensation

Sophie Cotsis MP met with struggling taxi plate owners from the Canterbury electorate on Thursday to discuss the hardships they are facing and to sign the NSW Taxi Industry Pledge.

Taxi plate owners met with Ms Cotsis and the Deputy CEO of the NSW Taxi Council, Nick Abrahim, in Earlwood to share their concerns with the lack of Government support and compensation.

Many of these owners come from migrant and CALD backgrounds who purchased taxi plates when they trusted Government advertising that encouraged people to buy a safe Government regulated product.  

READ MORE: Greek community rallies against proposed taxi licence reforms in NSW.

However, since the introduction of the rideshare industry, value of taxi plates have significantly reduced. Many taxi plate owners have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“Speaking to these local taxi plate owners and hearing their struggles left me very emotional and in disbelief. In a Government regulated industry, the NSW Government has ignored the concerns of taxi plate owners and has left them in the dark with no financial viability,” Ms Cotsis said.

“For 6 years thousands of owners have been treated with disrespect by the NSW Government. The Government is offering them peanuts for plate that were once purchased for over $400,000.

READ MORE: Greek community continues to speak out against proposed taxi licence reforms in NSW.

“I will be writing representation to the Government on behalf of each taxi plate owner. NSW Labor will continue to support our Taxi plate owners have been overlooked and neglected for so many years by the NSW Government.”

On the day, Ms Cotsis also signed the NSW Taxi Council’s ‘NSW Taxi Industry Pledge,’ which supports fair and proper compensation for all taxi licence owners, the continuation of the Passenger Service Levy, and a viable, regulated and reliable taxi industry.

“I call on the Government to sign the NSW Taxi Industry Pledge,” she said.

“The upcoming by-elections are an opportunity to show the Government that their negligence will have consequences. I urge residents of Bega, Strathfield, Monaro and Willoughby to send a strong message.”

Ms Cotsis joins a number of other politicians from different parties who have also put their name to the pledge including, the NSW Shadow Minister for Small Business, Property and Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper; the Liberal Member for Castle Hill, Ray Williams; the Independent Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward; and Robert Borsak and Mark Banasiak from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.

READ MORE: Greek community supports NSW Taxi Industry Pledge for fair compensation.

Secretary General for Greeks Abroad congratulates Penelope Kari for judge distinction

The Greek Herald
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Secretary General for Greeks Abroad congratulates Penelope Kari for judge distinction

Greece’s Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, John Chrysoulakis, has sent a letter of congratulations to Penelope Kari on her appointment as Honorable Justice to the Federal Circuit & Family Court of Australia.

Ms Kari is the first Australian of Greek descent to be appointed to the distinguished position.

READ MORE: Adelaide Judge Penelope Kari opens up on gender in law and her Greek upbringing.

In his letter, Mr Chrysoulakis stressed how Ms Kari is a classic example of how Greek migrants worked hard when they arrived in Australia so their children could achieve their dreams.

Penelope Kari.

“Your personal story, but also the story of your family as you have told it yourself, describing the ‘sacrifices’ and ‘sufferings’ of your Greek grandparents… gives the best picture of the average Greek family who was forced to leave their homeland in very difficult times, looking for a better tomorrow,” Mr Chrysoulakis said.

The Secretary General for Greeks Abroad then concluded his letter by sending his “warm wishes” to Ms Kari and his hopes that she will “enjoy even greater success in the future.”

“In your face we all see another successful compatriot of ours,” Mr Chrysoulakis stressed.

“A distinguished Greek woman from the diaspora, who is an honour for Hellenes abroad and whom the homeland watches from afar with a feeling of love and pride.”

St Basil’s Fawkner bosses appeal court orders forcing them to give evidence

The Greek Herald
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St Basil’s Fawkner bosses appeal court orders forcing them to give evidence

Two former managers of St Basil’s Fawkner have filed an appeal against orders forcing them to give evidence at an inquest into the deaths of 50 residents during a coronavirus outbreak at the aged care home in 2020, The Age reports.

Last year, the home’s former chairman, Kon Kontis, and nursing director, Vicky Kos, refused to give detailed evidence to investigators or to a coronial inquest on the grounds that it could “incriminate” them.

READ MORE: Managers of St Basil’s Fawkner refuse to give evidence during inquest.

But State Coroner John Cain directed them to give evidence as “they played important roles in preparing for a possible outbreak of COVID-19 at the facility…”

Now, Mr Kontis and Ms Kos are seeking to quash this order in an appeal filed with the Supreme Court.

Photo on left: ABC News / Kristian Silva. Photo on right: AAP / Con Chronis.

According to The Age, the appeal was filed on the grounds Judge Cain misapplied his statutory powers and erred, including when he found the risk of the plaintiffs being charged with criminal offences was “speculative.”

READ MORE: St Basil’s aged care managers ordered to give evidence at coronial inquest.

The appeal further alleges the decision was affected by bias.

John Karantzis, a partner at Carbone Lawyers, which is representing about 20 families who lost relatives at the home, said he would file submissions against the appeal and seek to have it heard expeditiously to avoid more delays.

Mr Kontis declined to comment when contacted by The Age on Thursday. Kartya Gracer, senior associate at Galbally & O’Bryan, acting for Mr Kontis and Ms Kos, did not respond.

Liberals try to force Alex Hawke MP to end impasse over election candidates

The Greek Herald
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Liberals try to force Alex Hawke MP to end impasse over election candidates

Liberal Party members are building pressure on Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to end his refusal to hold formal meetings to approve candidates in marginal seats, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Senior Liberal figures told The Australian, the refusal was an attempt by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister Hawke, who represents the PM in NSW preselection issues, to get their preferred candidates endorsed in key seats.

Liberals from all sides of the Party blamed Minister Hawke on Thursday for refusing to attend nomination review committees over the last six months to clear candidates so their names could be put to branch members for party preselection ballots.

Alex Hawke MP.

“At every roadblock there was Alex Hawke, like an Eastern bloc border guard,” one Liberal said.

In response, state executive members are now examining an option that would allow the committee to meet even if Minister Hawke declined to attend, giving him an ultimatum because decisions would be made without the Prime Minister being represented.

Minister Hawke told a state executive meeting last Friday that he would attend the nomination meetings soon.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian.

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